Why are EVs not fitted with dynamos?

Is there a self charging electric car using dynamos? Electric motors could drive the car from a battery to the front wheels, while the dynamos on the rear wheels charg up the battery. If conflict occurs with this system then automatic switching for two batteries could be used while one is charging and the other is driving.

Asked on 5 August 2025 by erikbloodaxe

Answered by David Ross
Electric vehicles already operate in a manner similar to this, as the electric motors operate as generators when the accelerator is released and/or the brake pedal pressed, converting momentum back into electricity that is fed back to the battery. Adding another set of generators to the undriven wheels would add frictional drag as well as additional weight, which would make the propulsion element of the drivetrain less efficient.
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